Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway

Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway

Observe seals and seabirds, explore historic pā and whaling sites and enjoy clifftop views of the sea and mountains. Suitable for families, the whole walkway takes three hours but you can also explore a range of shorter tracks.

The walkway juts from the rugged east coast of the South Island, with a backdrop of steep mountains, snow-capped in winter.
The area's wildlife includes whales, dolphins, seals, birds and crayfish.
An impressive collection of information panels along the walkway explains the rich history, geology, animals and plants that make the area so special.

The track crosses the peninsula’s clifftop, with excellent views of the Seaward Kaikōura Range, ocean and coastline, to South Bay. It returns to the township via South Bay and Toms Track.

This track has exposed unfenced cliff edges. Stay on the formed track and supervise children at all times.

To fully explore and enjoy the features of the walk, allow at least three hours to complete the whole walkway

https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/marlborough/places/kaikoura-area/things-to-do/tracks/kaikoura-peninsula-walkway/

03 319 5641

Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway,
Kaikōura Peninsula,
Kaikōura 7300,
New Zealand

Getting There:

The walkway starts from Kaikōura township. Kaikōura lies almost midway between Picton (154 km) and Christchurch (183 km) off SH1 on the east coast of the South Island. Regular bus and train services pass through the town.

There is no scheduled public transport from Kaikōura to the walkway but you may be able to arrange commercial transport.

Opening Hours

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

a month ago

Timothy Mora

This is a wonderful 11.7km loop track with loads of scenery and variety. As a loop of the entire peninsula you can start almost anywhere from your motel to any of the official track ends. We walked from across the road from Dolphin Encounter along the Esplanade to the official carpark and then along the beach because this brought you to close to the fur seals, gulls, coastal reefs and the sea. You could walk the cliff top but you get to do that a bit further along where you climb back up to the cliff for some spectacular views of the bays and ocean before coming back down to South Bay followed by a short jaunt across the peninsula and back to our car.

2 months ago

John Fraider

Seals n whales great views lovely peninsular great walking tracks,awesome place to go for a walk amongst nature

2 months ago

Rachel Christopher

Absolutely gorgeous views everywhere you look! There’s a good bit of parking and bathrooms. It was so cool seeing the seals in mid-September. There are several trail options. Depending on what you do, you could easily spend 1-5 hours here. Your trail options can be loop or out-and-back. It sounds like you may have to be mindful of the tide for part of 1 trail.

7 months ago

Russell Berg

Amazing walkway along an absolutely STUNNING piece of New Zealand coastline. There is a great short walk option which is about 30 minutes and follows the top of a hill with amazing views and comes back along the coast with nesting birds and fur seals in the wild. Can be very exposed and windy - take a jacket and hat. Super easy and our school age children loved it. Can be a loop otherwise an easy there and back